RIP Eclipse

This fall my yearling buck Eclipse became paralyzed. We were really worried about him and thought he was going to die, but he pulled through. Since then we have been trying to do therapy with him- we made him a sling out of old shirts and some twine string, and we've been stretching him and working with him. This past 2 weeks he really improved and we had high hopes of him being able to stand on his own and walk again. Then, these last 2 or 3 days, he took a step backward and was acting very tired, but still eating and drinking. This morning I found him dead as I was doing morning chores. I have no idea why he died, as he was out of his sling for the night and didn't get caught in anything. He didn't otherwise act sick, and he was for the most part out of the cold. However, it's possible he just got too cold because the weather has been particularly cold (in the single digits) the past couple of days.

I really wish it wasn't him that died. I raised him from a bottle baby... he would follow me around everywhere and he acted more like a person than a goat. I taught him how to eat grass and not to be scared of the dog (a lesson he never really learned too well). Before I had my human baby he was "my baby." When he was a couple months old I brought him to a preschool and let the kids bottle feed him. He just loved people. Even when he went into rut, I could still trust him, as he had the most gentle disposition of any buck I've ever met, especially when it came to humans. He never tried to be rough with me, the only time I had to worry was when I had treats in my hands because of course he would maul me for the treats! He was just as sweet as any doe (and often sweeter!). I'm so sad he had to go through this and that he had to die, but I guess I can't be too sad because at least I got to see him grow up and we'll probably keep both of his buckling kids from this past year. He probably also bred some does before he got paralyzed so hopefully he'll pass on his sweet disposition to more of our goats.

Rest in peace, Eclipse.

Happy Holidays! :)

Our family doesn't celebrate Christmas much- usually we just go visit our parents, exchange a gift or two (not even wrapped... I dislike shiny wrapping paper because it just creates more trash). This year, we are snowed in, so we can't visit relatives. My parents are in Iowa because my dad works there and he got snowed in. My husband's parents are still 2 hours away, so it's unlikely that we'll be able to visit them. So Christmas will be a day much like any other day, for us. Chores still need to be done, the baby still needs his attention. Maybe next year I'll find the energy to decorate the house but my guess is not. :)
Do I care? Not really. I am a bit disappointed we won't get to see relatives- Christmas is generally the only time we get to see some of them- but this year, most came out for our wedding. So I'm thankful for that. Yes, I'll miss the Christmas dinner with my parents and siblings, and yes I dislike the fact that I'll have to go out and do chores in the cold on Christmas day! But overall, I'm content to just live my life the way I've been living it, to hold my son and my husband and cuddle on the couch with a movie and some popcorn.
Here's a poem that I can definitely relate to:

'Twas the day before Christmas, and all 'round my farm

all the chillun are stirring, just trying to get warm

It's time get firewood, and haul water in

there's chores to be done, 'fore breakfast begins

eggs need to be gathered, and hogs to be slopped

the toilet needs emptied, the chores never stop

then baked bread and fresh milk, we have for the day

the kids bundle up, the horses need hay

when chores they are done, we're all pretty beat

Dad pulls out the guitar, kids sit at his feet

Ma starts up good song, we sing and we dance

small presents are given, all made by our hands

then out to the barn, where we stable our sheep

a miracle happens, a new lamb is asleep

We stand in the darkness, surrounded by love

not much do we have, but a star shines above

We hold hands and we pray, thanks for our country life

Merry Christmas to all, and a homesteader good night!

- LaMar

New Pictures :)

Some new pictures of T!

If You're a Fan of Punk Bands...

You should check out Dead Milkmen. They are a satirical punk band, and have really funny music (although if you're not used to listening to punk you should bring up a window and type in the lyrics so you can actually understand what they're saying.) Also, the rant "intros" to songs are also pretty funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmDBmqcAE40
"Cousin Earl" about his redneck cousin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJYjr-vUKZM
"Punk Rock Girl"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXainwqFvW4&feature=channel
"The Methodist Coloring Book" comparing Christianity to a coloring book

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U30K-Dw18Jw
The intro to "Bitchin Camero" which is pretty funny

Rammed by a goat

Well today I had to go do chores in a blizzard. :P Blowing wind, single-digit weather, and snow drifts that were waist high in places. I have to haul buckets of water for the animals down from a steep hill (conveniently, our wellhouse is on TOP of the hill).
Now our dominant buck always keeps one eye on me, waiting for the opportunity to catch me off guard and ram me into the dirt. Today he found his opportunity, and rammed his big ol' horns into the back of my thigh while I was trying to knock the ice out of their water bucket in the barn. Let's just say, that if he would have hit my knee, I would be in the ER with broken bones. Luckily, I was dressed so heavily in winter gear, and he hit me high enough, that I walked away with my leg very bruised but intact.
If you're wondering what happened to this buck, I hit him upside the head with a hammer when he tried to do it again. Unfortunately, it didn't knock any sense into him and I'll probably have to do it again tomorrow. :( NOT looking forward to it!!!
Stupid goats.